Compare the2024 Volkswagen GTIVS 2023 Subaru WRX

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The GTI has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The WRX doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The GTI’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the WRX.

The GTI has standard Park Distance Control to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or in front of their vehicle. The WRX doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

The GTI has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. Only the WRX Limited/GT offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the GTI has standard Rear Traffic Alert, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the WRX Limited/GT offers Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

The GTI’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The WRX doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the GTI and the WRX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

Warranty

The GTI comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car. The WRX’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The GTI’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the WRX’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the GTI for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Subaru doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the WRX.

Reliability

The Volkswagen GTI’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the WRX’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Volkswagen vehicles are more reliable than Subaru With 9 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Volkswagen higher than Subaru.

Engine

The GTI’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (273 vs. 258) than the WRX’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Volkswagen GTI is faster than the Subaru WRX (automatics tested):

	GTI	WRX
Zero to 60 MPH	5.1 sec	5.4 sec
Quarter Mile	13.6 sec	14.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	105 MPH	101 MPH
Top Speed	155 MPH	134 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the GTI gets better mileage than the WRX:

			MPG
GTI
	Manual	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/34 hwy
	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/33 hwy
WRX
	Manual	2.4 turbo flat-4	19 city/26 hwy
	Auto	2.4 turbo flat-4	19 city/25 hwy

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the GTI’s fuel efficiency. The WRX doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the GTI Automatic’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The WRX doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen GTI higher (5 out of 10) than the Subaru WRX (3). This means the GTI produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the WRX every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The GTI offers an optional sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is more internally efficient than a CVT but just as easy to drive. The WRX doesn’t offer an SMG.

The GTI Automatic’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The WRX doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the GTI’s brake rotors are larger than those on the WRX:

	GTI	WRX
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	12.4 inches
Rear Rotors	12.2 inches	11.4 inches
Opt Rear Rotors		11.8 inches

The GTI stops shorter than the WRX:

	GTI	WRX
70 to 0 MPH	150 feet	153 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	104 feet	112 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

The GTI’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the WRX’s standard 45 series tires. The GTI Autobahn/380’s tires have a lower 35 series profile than the WRX’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GTI has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the WRX. The GTI Autobahn/380’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels optional on the WRX.

The GTI has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the WRX; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

The GTI Autobahn handles at .98 G’s, while the WRX Limited pulls only .95 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

Chassis

The GTI is 1 foot, 3 inches shorter than the WRX, making the GTI easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the GTI is quieter than the WRX Limited:

	GTI	WRX
At idle	40 dB	49 dB
Full-Throttle	76 dB	79 dB
70 MPH Cruising	71 dB	71 dB

Cargo Capacity

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the GTI easier. The GTI’s trunk lift-over height is 26.5 inches, while the WRX’s liftover is 28.7 inches.

Ergonomics

When three different drivers share the GTI (except S), the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The WRX doesn’t offer a memory system.

The GTI (except S)’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The WRX doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The GTI’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The WRX does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The GTI Autobahn has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The WRX doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The GTI’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The WRX has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The power windows standard on both the GTI and the WRX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the GTI is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The WRX prevents the driver from operating the rear windows just as it does the other passengers.

The GTI’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The WRX’s standard rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The GTI’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The WRX’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the GTI to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The WRX doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the GTI has a standard rear wiper. The WRX doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the GTI has standard extendable sun visors. The WRX doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The GTI’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Subaru only offers heated mirrors on the WRX Premium/Limited/GT.

When the GTI is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The WRX’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The GTI has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats are only available on the WRX Premium/Limited/GT. The GTI Autobahn also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the WRX.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the GTI (except S) keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The WRX doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the GTI’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The WRX doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Both the GTI and the WRX offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the GTI has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The WRX doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volkswagen GTI has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The WRX doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The GTI Autobahn’s Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The WRX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Motor Trend selected the GTI as their 2015 Car of the Year. The WRX has never been chosen.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Golf as the 2015 North American Car of the Year. The WRX has never been chosen.